Folding cart



J. M. ST. PAUL May 2, 1950 FOLDING CART Filed Oct. 24, 1947 12a INVENTOR JEROME/M JZPAUZ mgiw wm ATTORNEB Patented May 2, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a folding cart. The device disclosed herein is adapted for example to transport food and the like and when not in use may be collapsed into a minimum of space.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical device of the above described kind.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for transporting food and the like while protecting it from flies and other insects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding cart adapted in use to comprise a container for transporting food, glasses or other objects, which may be collapsed to occupy a minimum of space when not in use.

Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and in the several steps and relation and order of each of said steps to one or more of the others thereof, all as will be pointed out in the following description, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

The invention will best be understood if the following description is read in connection with the drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a front elevation;

Figure 2 is an end elevation;

Figure 3 is a top plan view;

Figure 4 is an end plan view of the structure when folded;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end view showing hinge mounting means for a tray or cover memher by which the member may be swung through 270; and

Figure 6 is a detail plan view showing the handle mounting means.

In the embodiment of the invention shown herein the structure comprises non-collapsible sides, collapsible ends, a bottom and, if desired, one or more shelves which are adapted to fold into planes parallel with the side walls, and a top member adapted to serve as a tray or the like and movable from a horizontal operative position at the top of the structure into a vertical plane substantially parallel with the sides of the structure.

As illustrated the frame of the device comprises the upright frame members l0 and I 2 which are similar except that the posts l2 defining one end of the structure are longer than the posts l0 defining the other end of the structure and are adapted to rest directly on the ground or other supporting surface whereas members I 0 are supported at the lower end by wheels l4 mounted on axles 16 the rear ends of which are received in an enlarged portion l8 provided at the lower end of members l0 respectively.

2 Between corresponding pairs of members IQ and I2 are the upper and lower side frame members 20 and 22 respectively and these are interconnected intermediate their ends by verti-:-

cally extending cross bar 24, which together with said members In and I2 and 20 and 22 define spaces in which the doors 26 and 28 are pivotally mounted as by means of hinges 30.

Between the sides of the structure two part folding end members are provided comprising the portions 32 and 34, joined together along a vertical median line 36 by hinges 38. The members 32 and 34 forming the closure for the end of the structure supported on the wheels M are supported along their marginal edges from the; frame members Iii (similar to members I2 which extend laterally from the members III, by

hinges 40, and the similar members 32 and 34 closing the other end of the structure are simi-I larly supported from upright frame members I2 similar to members Ill Members l0 and [2 are of less thickness than members [0 and I2. leaving room on members In and [2 for the at-' tachment of hinges 46 and 54 as will be explained.

The end members may thus be collapsed inwardly into the position shown in Figure 4 when the cart is not in use.

The bottom of the cart comprises the two portions 42 and 44 hinged along their outer margins by hinges 46 to the vertical frame members I0 and I2 respectively so that they may be moved from a substantially horizontal operative position to a substantially vertical position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 2, when it,

is desired to collapse the cart. Stops 48 are provided on the inner surface of said end mem-' bers 32 and 34 respectively, at a height to position and support said members 42 and 44 with their inner margins in abutting relationship in a substantially horizontal plane. If desired one or more shelves may be provided similar in conend members 32 and 34 respectively.

Positioned on top of the structure provided is a tray-like member 58 forming a cover for the structure defined by the side and end wallsand the bottom and cooperating with said side and, end walls and said bottom to form a closure. adapted to receive food for example and protect. it from flies and other insects, and from wind and rain etc. while it is being transported. This member may be provided with receptacles 6D to receive glasses as indicated in Figure 3.

Member 58 is secured to the vertical frame members In and I2, on one side of the structure, 

